| Description | Archives relating to the estates of Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal, and their successive owners. Included are charters from the 12th century relating to the Cistercian Abbey of Fountains, and a 14th century cartulary summarising the monks' titles to their wool-producing estates. Later owners included the Robinson family, who became Lords Grantham, Earls de Grey, and Marquises of Ripon. Over 2,000 letters, mainly dated 1685-1771, reflect the activities of the first Lord Grantham, who held diplomatic posts in Paris and Vienna, and the second who was ambassador in Madrid; both were Secretaries of State and MPs. Yorkshire affairs are represented by sheriff's accounts for 1637-1638, civil war papers concerning Skipton Castle, and Ripon civic and county election papers. |
| AdminHistory | Formerly Mallory, Messenger, Aislabie and Robinson families |